HF 354

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 02/18/2021 04:43pm

A bill for an act
relating to agriculture; appropriating money for grants to provide technical
assistance and appropriate technology for certain spark ignition motor fuel
wholesalers and retailers and to implement promotional programs; requiring reports.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin APPROPRIATIONS; WHOLESALE AND RETAIL LIQUID MOTOR
FUEL EQUIPMENT GRANTS.
new text end

new text begin (a) $17,000,000 in fiscal year 2022 is appropriated from the general fund to the
commissioner of agriculture for grants to motor fuel wholesalers and retail motor fueling
station operators to install equipment necessary to store or dispense biofuels to the public
in order to meet the biofuel requirement goals established under Minnesota Statutes, section
239.7911. Motor fuel wholesalers are eligible for grant money under this paragraph for up
to two storage sites if each site is located in Minnesota and stores, or uses tank systems to
blend, motor fuel comprised of at least 15 percent of agriculturally derived, denatured
ethanol by volume. A retail motor fueling station operator is eligible for grant money under
this paragraph for up to and including 15 retail motor fuel dispensing sites if each site is
located in Minnesota and the grant money under this paragraph is used to modify or install
storage and dispensing components that dispense gasoline that is blended with at least 15
percent of agriculturally derived, denatured ethanol by volume for use in spark ignition
engines. A grant award under this paragraph must not exceed 70 percent of the cost of the
installation project.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner may use up to $425,000 of the appropriated amount for
administration expenses.
new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner shall coordinate with stakeholders to establish operational initiatives
and grant criteria to more fully attain the requirements in Minnesota Statutes, section
239.7911.
new text end

new text begin (d) This appropriation is available until expended. The commissioner shall report to the
legislative committees with jurisdiction over agricultural policy and finance by February 1
for each year in which funds are available, detailing the number of grants awarded under
the paragraph (a) and the projected effect of the grant program on meeting the biofuel
replacement goals under Minnesota Statutes, section 239.7911.
new text end